NJ Advocates Press Officials to Boost Social Services Funding
Advocates urged New Jersey Department of Human Services officials at a Monday budget listening session to increase state funding for mental health, substance abuse, housing, elder care, childcare, and disability services. The session is a preliminary step as the department prepares its next budget, which this year topped $37 billion with 56% from federal dollars, amid expected federal funding cuts that the department says could strip Medicaid benefits from up to 300,000 people and food aid from another 50,000. Mental health providers said they would need added state funding to meet demand from people losing Medicaid coverage, while elder, disability, childcare, and child welfare advocates each called for protecting or expanding existing funding. Gov. Mikie Sherrill will compile a statewide budget proposal for introduction in February, and lawmakers must finalize a plan she can sign by July 1.